Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Amygdaloideae
Genus: Amelanchier
Species: A. canadensis
Common Names:
Canadian Serviceberry
Shadbush
Juneberry
Chuckley Pear
Origin and Distribution:
Native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland to Ontario and Minnesota, south to northern Florida.
Typically found in woodlands, thickets, and along streams and ponds.
Growth Habit and Characteristics:
Large deciduous shrub or small tree.
Reaches a height of 6-25 feet (2-8 meters) and a spread of 15-20 feet (5-6 meters).
Multi-stemmed with a spreading, rounded crown.
Smooth, gray bark on mature branches, younger twigs may be purplish-red.
Leaves are alternate, simple, oval-shaped with finely serrated edges, 1-2.5 inches long.
Foliage is deep green in spring and summer, turning brilliant orange-red in fall.
Flowers and Fruits:
Blooms in early spring (March-April) before leaves emerge.
Flowers are white, fragrant, 5-petaled, borne in drooping clusters.
Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Fruits are small, round, berry-like pomes, initially red and maturing to dark purple-blue in early summer (June-July).
Fruits are sweet, juicy, and edible, often used in jams, pies, and other desserts.
Important food source for birds and other wildlife.
Cultivation and Uses:
Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Tolerates a range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
Requires regular watering, especially during dry periods.
Can be propagated from seeds or cuttings.
Popular ornamental plant for its spring flowers, edible fruit, and fall foliage.
Used in landscaping as a specimen plant, in hedges, or as part of naturalized plantings.
Fruits can be eaten fresh, cooked, or processed.
No serious pest or disease problems.
Additional Notes:
The name "serviceberry" is associated with the timing of its bloom, coinciding with the time when the ground thawed enough for funeral services to be held in early spring.
"Shadbush" refers to the simultaneous blooming of the flowers and the shad fish running in rivers.
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